At Raise the Roof on October 26, 2022, Jubilee presented the annual Resident Champion award, which recognizes a resident for their leadership, passion, and dedication to the Jubilee community. Last year’s inaugural champion was Jubilee resident and Board Member Romaine Johnson. Jubilee is proud to name longtime resident and Youth Services volunteer Clara Velasquez as the 2022 Jubilee Housing Resident Champion!
Remarks by Audrey Walker, Director of Youth Services
Honored guests, I am thrilled to present this year’s Jubilee Housing Resident Champion Award, which annually recognizes a resident for their leadership, passion, and dedication to the Jubilee community. Last year’s awardee, Ms. Romaine Johnson, is here tonight — Ms. Romaine, please wave!
This year’s awardee is another longtime Jubilee resident who represents the very best that Jubilee stands for. I am pleased to announce that our very own Clara Velasquez has been named the 2022 Jubilee Housing Resident Champion. Ms. Clara was not able to be here tonight, but she has asked Eduardo Herrera-Diaz, Jubilee’s Early Start Program Coordinator to accept on her behalf and read her remarks. First, I would like to share some words about Clara.
Clara came from Colombia to the United States to pursue the American Dream. She loved Colombia, but after her father passed away, Clara felt it was up to her as the oldest sibling to support her family financially, and that living and working in the US provided better opportunities. Shortly after arriving in the US, Clara secured a job as an au pair and helped raise three children from birth through adulthood, then continued to be a caregiver to other children in her neighborhood. During this time, Clara also obtained her US citizenship, entirely on her own, which she describes as one of the happiest moments of her life.
Clara became a resident of Jubilee Housing in 1984, approximately 38 years ago. I, along with many of my colleagues and residents, can attest that Clara is one of the kindest and most generous people you will ever meet. Personally, she is like a second mother to me. Since I’ve been employed at Jubilee for the past 8 ½ years, I have seen firsthand how Ms. Clara goes above and beyond to help many people with just about anything within her power.
This includes volunteering for the past 7 plus years in Jubilee Youth Services, working directly with youth and families almost every single day that the program is in session, year round. She is also constantly checking on her neighbors, making sure that they are safe, and have food and vital resources to thrive. She supports the Jubilee Housing mission anytime — and I mean anytime — volunteer opportunities arise… which happens a lot! For all of that and more, Ms. Clara is the definition of Resident Champion. If you were to look up the word Champion in the dictionary, Ms. Clara’s picture should be there.
One thing I admire about Clara is how humble she is by not wanting to be compensated or even recognized for her kindness and her time spent working to support the mission of Jubilee Housing. For instance, Jubilee wanted to provide Clara with a small stipend to compensate her for the many hours she has worked supporting the community. Ms. Clara accepted the stipend, then immediately used the money to buy the children in Youth Services pizza and gifts. This has happened several times. She just loves to give back to her community. Another memory I have of Clara is of her making me and my team the most scrumptious salads, giving us the freshest strawberries along with a fresh can a whipped cream and baking brownies. Clara did this every week for years and years!
I have been so blessed to know Clara and have been a recipient of her generosity and kindness. Along with myself, she has been a blessing to so many in the Jubilee Housing Community and our neighborhood. This is just my story, and I am sure many others can attest to how they’ve been a recipient of Clara’s generous heart. She is truly, truly an angel on Earth and I am so honored to present Ms. Clara Velasquez with Jubilee Housing’s Resident Champion Award. Even though she could not be here tonight, we wanted to say we love you Ms. Clara and wish you nothing but the best!
Please join me in congratulating and celebrating this wonderful person, and join me in welcoming Eduardo to the stage to share Clara’s remarks.
Remarks by Clara Velasquez, 2022 Jubilee Housing Resident Champion
Good evening everyone. First, I would like to thank Jubilee for this recognition. Everything I do, I do without expecting to get anything back. What’s more, everything I do for the children is in thanks for all Jubilee has done for me. I thank God for the opportunity that He gives me to serve other people with my time and effort.
Many people ask me why I am going to help the children’s program or why I help different people, and I tell them that I do it because it makes me happy. I appreciate this recognition, but I know that I am not the only person who is so grateful to Jubilee. Jubilee has impacted individuals, families, and generations with its housing program and services.
Jubilee not only supports residents like me, Jubilee improves the community, Jubilee opens the door to all people regardless of their circumstances and I am so grateful. Thank you very much!